__________________________________________________________________________ 1) AGH University of Science and Technology; Faculty of Mining and Geoengineering, 30 A. Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Tomasz Wieja
1)Janusz Chmura
1)Influence of protection of geological and geodiversity
heritage on designing Underground Tourist Routes
AbstractGeological heritage is most commonly understood as part of inanimate nature with a unique value to society. This relatively new term does not have a clear and universally accepted definition. In broad terms, the geological heritage is the legacy of abiotic nature and that what is contained in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and all the structures of the Earth. The geological heritage – the natural elements of geodiversity which are of significant value to people, including research, education, aesthetics, inspiration and cultural development of socially important places. An important role in the protection of geological heritage play the underground tourist routes. In its structure the underground routes include the following functions protective, scientific, education and didactic and tourist.
The underground tourist routes are an organized form of protection of the underground geological heritage and geodiversity. They allow to introduce modern technology for the exposure of geological phenomena (multimedia presentations, lighting of natural values, presentation of historical background in the context of the application of mining techniques in the exploitation of geological structures. The underground exhibitions are a permanent element connecting the geological heritage with the cultural heritage. The created underground routes determine the economic development of the region activating local communities, jobs, development of traditional crafts associated with the exploitation of the geological environment. At the same time they are advertising the region by developing tourism.
Key words: Underground Tourist Routes (UTR), protection of geological and geodiversity heritage
Wpływ ochrony dziedzictwa geologicznego
i georó
ż
norodno
ś
ci na projektowanie
podziemnych tras turystycznych
StreszczenieDziedzictwo geologiczne rozumiane jest najczęściej jako element przyrody nieożywionej o unikatowej wartości dla społeczeństwa. To stosunkowo nowe określenie nie posiada jednoznacznej i powszechnie akceptowanej definicji. W szerokim ujęciu dziedzictwo geologiczne to abiotyczna spuścizna natury, czyli to, co zawarte jest w atmosferze, hydrosferze oraz wszystkich strukturach Ziemi. Dziedzictwo geologiczne – te elementy przyrodniczej georóżnorodności, które mają istotną wartość dla ludzi, obejmującą badania naukowe, edukację, estetykę, inspirację, rozwój kulturowy oraz miejsca społecznie ważne. Istotną rolę w ochronie dziedzictwa geologicznego odgrywają podziemne trasy turystyczne. Podziemne trasy zawierają w swej strukturze funkcję: ochronną, naukową, edukacyjno-dydaktyczną i turystyczną.
Podziemne trasy turystyczne są zorganizowaną formą ochrony podziemnego dziedzictwa geologicznego i georóżnorodności. Pozwalają na wprowadzenie nowoczesnej technologii dla ekspozycji zjawisk geologicznych (multimedialne prezentacje, oświetlenie walorów przyrodniczych, przedstawienie tła historycznego w kontekście zastosowania technik górniczych w eksploatacji struktur geologicznych). Ekspozycje podziemne są trwałym elementem łączącym dziedzictwo geologiczne z dziedzictwem kulturowym. Tworzone trasy podziemne determinują rozwój gospodarczy regionu, aktywizując społeczności lokalne, miejsca pracy, rozwój tradycyjnych zawodów rzemieślniczych związanych z eksploatacją środowiska geologicznego. Jednocześnie stanowią reklamę regionu rozwijając ruch turystyczny.
Słowa kluczowe: Podziemne Trasy Turystyczne (PTT), ochrona dziedzictwa geologicznego i georóżnorodności
Introduction
Geological heritage (Geoheritage) is usually understood as elements of inanimate nature with a unique value to the society. This is a relatively new term which, despite being widespread for quite a while, has no clear and universally accepted definition. In broad terms, the geological heritage is the abiotic legacy of the nature which is what is contained in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and all structures of the Earth [4].
The report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature "Geological Word Heritage: a Global Framework”, which can be considered as a source of uniform terminology of international importance, provides the following definition: geological heritage – natural geodiversity assets of high value to people, including scientific research, education, aesthetics, inspiration, cultural development and places of social importance.
It can be concluded that underground tourist routes (UTR) are organised forms of protection of the underground geological heritage and geodiversity. They enable the use of recent technology to expose geological phenomena (multimedia presentations, illumination of natural assets, presentation of historical background in the context of mining technology application in exploitation of geological structures). Underground exhibitions constitute a solid link between the geological and cultural heritage.
1. Geological heritage and geodiversity categories
There are two categories of geological heritage:
− inanimate – including geological forms and processes constituting a main component of the geological environment, inextricably linked with the natural place of occurrence, their protection requires activities in the nature (in situ);
Fig. 2. Side slope above the entrance to Odkrywców Cave and Prochownia Cave in Kadzielnia Geopark;
− animate – fragile, delicate objects, prone to damaging factors, which have to be moved from their natural environment (ex situ protection in museum) to be preserved. These include, among others, specimens of rock, minerals, fossils, elements related to the history of geological research.
The international forms of geological heritage protections include geoparks [1]. The inanimate nature assets are present not only in the natural environment (on earth surface, underground, under water) and in areas transformed by human activity (mines, quarries, cuttings, heaps), but also in the products of human material culture (buildings and equipment, precious and decorative stones) and in museums (natural, geological and mining). Small objects are presented on mineral, rock and fossil exhibitions.
2. Modern methods of presentation and providing access to the
geological heritage and geodiversity
These include: − geoparks; − geosites;
− environmental and geological maps showing water conditions, protected areas and objects, land valorisation for development and building purposes [5];
− educational trails;
− Underground Tourist Routes (UTR) [2];
− workshops, e.g. the Local Post-Mining Land Rehabilitation Workshops. Some geosites are, or may become, after proper promotion and rendering accessible, the subject of tourist interest, i.e. geotourist sites. Geological processes occurring nowadays are called geotourist phenomena. The geotourist sites and phenomena form a common category of geotourist attractions [10].
By linking geotourist attractions with specially arranged and marked educational trails it is possible to draw tourists’ attention to the geological structure of the specific region [7,8].
3. Effects of geological heritage and geodiversity on the organisation
and design of UTR
Underground tourist routes play an important role in the protection of geological heritage. A key factor while designing the UTRs is the attractiveness of the geological heritage. The routes are an organised form of protection of the underground geoheritage and geodiversity. They are the main assets in presentation of the cultural and natural heritage.
Fig. 3. Examples of illumination of underground tourist routes in Przemyśl and Kamienna Góra
Their functional structure is the result of synergy between human and geological activities. Various areas are covered (scientific, educational, tourist, technological, preservation, cultural, museum, medicinal etc.) which determine the organisation and design of UTRs.
Fig. 4. Illumination of salt crystals in “Grota Kryształowa” at Wieliczka Salt Mine
This results in a new product which, through its accessibility, presents and covers the following functions in its structure:
− protective, aimed at preserving the sites possibly intact;
− the routes under design may include individual geoheritage and geodiversity components – geosites, educational trails etc. and even underground geoparks;
− scientific, by becoming an object of various disciplines of geological sciences;
− educational, in the Earth science domain;
− in situ presentation of the underground geological heritage;
− preservation and presentation of historical methods of environment exploitation in terms of technical development;
− presentation of cultural values created as a result of exploitation of the geological environment – buildings, engineering arts, protections, etc.; − tourist, allowing self-financing of the sites and contributing to the economic
development of the region;
− introducing recent technology to exhibit geological phenomena (multimedia presentations, illumination of natural assets, presentation of historical background in terms of mining technology application in exploitation of geological structures);
− allow unconventional use of the geoheritage for underground water trips, climbing walls, spa, marathons (the route distance is critical) etc.;
− presenting the use of geoheritage in the process of adaptation of its components as a material for art – sculpture, concerts, theatre – natural scenery;
Fig. 5 - "Groty Nagórzyckie" – laser scan – view of the central part of excavations with a visible timber roof supports
− determining economic development of the region, activating the local society, promote creation of jobs, allowing development of traditional trade related to the geological site exploitation;
− promotion of the region and place and developing tourism;
− solving the problem of the abandoned geological and cultural sites.
4. Methods of designing and organising underground tourist routes
Underground ancient sites form an integral part of the cultural and natural heritage. Such sites are of tourist value and may determine the economic growth of the region in which they are located. The underground tourist route development policy refers to a marketing policy based on the introduction of a new product or services to the existing unaffected market.
At the same time, an important issue in the adaptation of mining excavations for tourist trails, is the security problem in deploying and adaptation of the excavation for utility purposes. The process of design and adaptation of the excavations for utility purposes is affected by the assurance of complete safety to the persons present underground [3]
Fig. 6. Tunnels in Będzin – application of modern mining protections in degraded underground sites
Currently, in Poland, there are several underground tourist routes. For that purpose caves and grottoes, abandoned mines, tunnels, exploration excavations and large multi-level basements have been adapted. In each of those sites, there are numerous risks present:
− anaerobic atmosphere; − gas hazard;
− goafs;
− variable and confined space; − water hazards.
Such risks are particularly important during the adaptation works, when experience needed to prevent such hazards is indispensable. It is obvious that having a site which attracts tourists is beneficial to every local administrative unit and such projects should receive support. Therefore, for such works, the employer should hire contractors having the experience in underground works. The secured site should meet the relevant standards ensuring full safety and proper comfort to the visitors.
Experience shows that the most favourable situation would be if the institution adapting the excavations or the underground site administrator comply with the basic rules:
1. Implementation of projects taking into consideration all potential hazards involved in the use of an underground site and documenting the protective measures adopted, which allows verification of the technical conditions of the excavations on daily basis and over the years of use.
2. Employing mining technology for securing and rendering accessible the underground post-mining and natural excavations by teams led by experienced managers;
3. Determining rules for approving the underground sites for tourist use, taking into consideration underground hazards;
4. Specifying the rules and intervals for assessing the technical conditions of underground tourist routes.
Re 1. Polish legislation on the design of underground tourist routes is out of date [9]. The Construction Law Act does not regulate underground excavations, so any provisions in this respect do not apply to the protection and adaptation of the underground sites. Also the Geological and Mining Law, as regards adaptation of ancient underground sites for tourist use, is limited only to a few selected flagship sites. On the one hand, this gap reduces the adaptation potential of interesting underground sites as attractive tourist routes and, on the other hand, creates vast opportunity to the black market of underground sites, not meeting the mining safety requirements. The only solution to this problem would be to convince the owners of such sites of the profitability of compliance with such rules, at least in terms of moral responsibility for the safety of the visitors. For a tourist site, purchasing a ticket should constitute a mutual agreement which entitles the tourist to require safety from the owner. It should be considered how to cause that the underground sites have safety certificates, and establish who and how should issue such certificates, however, without discouraging the owners from their activity.
Re 2. An important issue is carrying out the protection works which ensure effective, durable protection of the site for many years, in a manner allowing people to stay safe during their underground journey. This is achieved with, often quite costly but reliable mining technologies employed by experienced teams working in the underground excavations [12]
Fig. 7 – St. Kinga Chappell at Bochnia Salt Mine – visible geological structure of the seam
Re 3. It would be desired to introduce such legislation that, based on the mining experience, would determine the rules for acceptance of every underground site for tourism, taking into consideration the specific underground risks. Although such regulations might cause problems to many existing underground routes, in particular the small ones, this would contribute to safety of people staying underground.
Re 4. The same purpose would be served by determining the principles and intervals for assessing the technical conditions of excavations, including designation of personal responsibility for the respective activities. In many cases, this would be disciplining to the owners, users and those assessing the underground sites, in terms of civil and moral responsibility in the event of any damage.
In view of the very complex process of adaptation of underground sites for tourism and, at the same time, protection of the most valuable geological and mining heritage assets, we are postulating that all engineering activities be performed by professional teams supervised by experts experienced in such activities.
Fig. 8. Komora Margielnik at Wieliczka Salt Mine – synergy of old and modern protections
5. Technical and preservation requirements for designing UTR
An important issue while designing the UTRs are technical problems due to the specific conditions found in abandoned excavations. Because of their historic value, it is also important to observe the preservation rules for such sites [9]. The basic requirements in this respect are:
− safety and protection (mining methods);
− preservation and renewal of underground sites;
− arrangement and application design of the proposed utility function of the existing space of the underground tourist route.
6. Importance of the existing geoheritage and geodiversity elements for
the functional and spatial plan of a UTR being designed
For every newly designed underground route a functional and spatial plan is drawn [11], including the following:
− tourist route as an educational trail – presentation of stratigraphy, palaeontology, tectonics, mining history, transformations due to mining activity, rational resource management;
− influence of the geoheritage and geodiversity on spatial structure of the underground tourist route designed;
− conscious and clear organisation of the visiting system resulting from the valorisation of a natural asset;
− designing modern technical infrastructure [6] (protections, lighting, evacuation, ventilation etc.) as a component in harmony with natural forms; − artistic arrangement (illumination, information, light and sound etc.) for a
− application of multimedia in the process of imaging the geological phenomena and human influence on transformations of the natural environment.
7. Interdisciplinary coordination of a UTR design
The protection and adaptation design of excavations for underground tourist routes should also include the following:
− setting priorities – route scenario;
− evaluation of aesthetic, scientific, cultural and geological values within the underground route under design;
− selection of technical measures to protect the site;
− multi-variant UTR design optimising exhibition of geoheritage and geodiversity elements.
Fig. 9. Tunnel at Szklary Mine – geosite; chrysoprase on the excavation sidewall
The design should also become a part of the entire environment, including the character of the external parts and historical context. Therefore, it is important that landscape architects cooperate with art conservators.
8. Examples of the influence of geoheritage and geodiversity
on the organisation of UTR
The problem of showing the most interesting places is present in any of the underground sites. In case of natural sites (caves), these are mostly interesting geosites. In the sites transformed by human, however, the historic and cultural components prevail, which represent the synergy of the activity of man and geological environment.
Fig. 10. A “witness” of the original loess sidewall at the underground route in Opatów
The importance of an underground tourist route and its "success” as a product results from the uniqueness of the presented components and individual assessment of the geological and cultural environment. Several examples showing such synergy between the historical heritage and geodiversity are shown below.
Summary
It can be clearly stated that the UTR design should be based on the assessment of geological attractiveness and presentation of geodiversity within the existing site. It is what determines the organisation – scenario, and the selection of technical measures to emphasise the natural and cultural values present in the structure of the underground site being adapted.
This results in the synergy between the geological setting and modern technical solutions, forming the new space for tourism. The new quality achieved through interdisciplinary design works determines the modern design solutions. This applies, in particular, to creating a specific “theatrum” where the viewer is brought into a new unknown world of mysterious underground, caves and grottoes. The world developing imagination, sensitiveness and aesthetic culture created by hidden and unknown forms of underground geological setting.
Fig. 11. Protected medieval sanitary collector in Przemyśl
With all the above problems in mind, it can be concluded that designing, protection and adaptation of historical underground sites for utility purposes is a highly complex engineering task. Our long years experience in this respect allows us to look at the problem not only from an engineering perspective, but also taking into consideration the cultural, preservation and historical context.
Acknowledgement
Completed under AGH statutory studies no. 11.11.100.197.
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